Weird News

Guy Dies in Jail Cell After Guards Ignore His Allergies

by Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

(NEWSER) – Michael Saffioti was in Washington's Snohomish County Jail on a minor marijuana possession charge—the 22-year-old had actually turned himself in. But he paid an enormous price: He had severe dairy allergies, and died after apparently being served oatmeal containing dairy. The guards allegedly accused Saffioti of "faking" his distress, the Huffington Post reports. Though Saffioti died on July 3, 2012, his story is making headlines now because his mother is suing the county, alleging the jail knew about his medical needs and served him unsafe food anyway. This week, KIRO TV got footage from the jail that appears to show Saffioti talking to the guards, servers, and even fellow inmates about his breakfast—video his mother's lawyer had to fight to obtain; she says the county initially insisted it didn't exist.